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MEMORIAL DAY 
EXERCISES 




MEMORIAL DAY 



EXERCISES 

FOR THE 

SCHOOLROOM 



COMPILED BY 

E. ISABEL REVELL 



EDUCATIONAL PUBLISfflNG COMPANY 

BOSTON 

New York Chicago San Francisco 



< 



'V> 



Copyright, 1909 

BY 

EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY 




.iBHARY of CONGRESS 
Two CoDies RtiCtived 

MAY 6 H>03 

^ Copyrik.nt ^\i 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Flag and Flowers Anna Covell . . . . .5 

Quotations for Memorial Day C. H. Stanley . . 14 

In Memory of Our Fallen Heroes Emma Taylor , .22 

Our Soldiers Olive E. Dana 20 

Memorial Day Lizzie M. Hadley . . . .24 

A Decoration Day Program M. L. Sutton • • • 39 

War or Peace Flora Hehn Krause . . . .43 

Patriotic Exercises for Memorial Day I.N.M. . . 51 

Memorial Flowers Sadie S, Palmer . . . .60 

A Roll-call for Memorial Day 62 

Recitations for Decoration Day 64 



MEMORIAL DAY 

Flag and Flowers 

Anna Covell 
Introduction 

(For an Older Pupil) 

What meaneth the hush in the sweet May air, 
The reverent look, and the head made bare? 
And why do the drums play softly a dirge, 
Mournful and slow, as the pines on the verge 
Of the cliff, when the soft wind through them sighs, 
Or the breath of evening on the lake dies ? 
And why do the people with solemn tread 
Silently go to the homes of the dead ? 
Why do they sing and then offer a prayer? 
And why their swords and uniforms wear? 
And what the meaning of flags and the flowers, 
The tears that are shed in these May day hours? 
Emblems of beauty and Country here meet, 
And mingle together beneath our feet. 
To the ^^ silent city" the children come, 
And follow the soldiers with muffled drum; 
And near the fair flags, on the graves, they place 

5 



Their beautiful flowers; and, sobered In face, 
They softly return and fall into line, 
Pray, tell the meaning of all this time, 
What means this Decoration? 

The Flag 

(For Seven Boys) 
First hoy 

What means the flag above the grave 

Of each true soldier sleeping? 
Why should our nation's emblem wave, 

As though fond guard 'twere keeping? 
Does he, who sleeps beneath the sod, 

Know of its soft caressing: 
Can he feel its touch when the breezes nod 

That soft touch like a blessing? 

Second hoy 

The soldier sleeps his long, last sleep, 

He knows not of its waving; 
His life was hushed in silence deep, 

His country's honor saving. 
But unto us^ who softly tread 

Above his couch of resting. 
It speaks for him, its every thread 

A noble thought suggesting. 

Third hoy 

Yes, boys, for us, our Nation's boys. 
In every breeze is ringing 



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That watchword low, amid our joys, 

Its every echo smging 
The tender chant, the sweet refrain, 

The ever living stor}^, 
That bids us on, new heights to gain 

Upon the path of glory. 

Fourth hoy 

Across the flag, the stripes of red 

With history are teeming; 
Fierce battles fought, dear heroes dead 

Are symbols of their meaning. 
And as I read I almost crave 

I'd paid that price of glory, 
And fallen in an honored grave, 

With those of olden story. 

Fijth boy 

Some choose the crimson, full of blood. 

To speak for them their meaning; 
To me, the red stripe's scarlet flood. 

With less of valor seeming 
Than white, which tells of peace's bright day, 

This day, in which we're living, 
'Mid books and schools and culture's sway, 

When each to all is giving. 

Sixth boy 

Well, boys, I think the nation's voice 
Speaks out in words the plainest, 



8 

When, pointing to each separate stafy 

She fondly says: ''Thou reignest." 
For every star but means a state, 

And more are coming yearly; 
That all will come in soon or late, 

Is reasoning most clearly. 

Seventh boy 

Now, schoolmates all, can you not see 

Why o'er each soldier sleeping, 
Our Nation's emblem bright should be, 

As though fond guard 'twere keeping? 
'Tis right that o'er each soldier's grave 

This emblem should be waving, 
Since for that flag his life he gave, 

His country's honor saving. 

All 

(Let each boy carry a small flag and wave it during this recitation.) 

Then let us proudly wave its bars, 

Our truth and honor plighting 
To keep unsoiled its sacred stars 

In times of peace or fighting. 
And let us softly place it o'er 

The graves of heroes lowly, 
Since they its cause so nobly bore. 

Its honor kept so holy. 



The Flowers 

(For Seven Girls. Let each girl carry some flowers.) 
First girl 

Tell me, of all these flowers so sweet, 

What is the fragrant meaning, 
As from so many graves, they greet, 

Each fond face earthward leaning? 
And why are flowers of red and white 

With blue so often mingling — 
Pure daisies sweet, red roses bright, 

And blue-bells dainty dingling ? 

Second girl 

Beneath each sod, a soldier sleeps 

Within his sealed portal. 
Behold, a nation o'er him weeps! 

And these the signs immortal 
Of love and honor; grateful life 

His mem'ry ever blessing; 
Each flower a thought with fragrance rife, 

His resting place caressing. 

Third girl 

The nation's emblems here behold! 

The red and white entwining 
A field of blue, and, fold on fold. 

Our country's stars enshrining. 
'Tis due to him who saved these stars, 

And for their sake is sleeping, 



lO 

That o'er his couch, these flowery bars 
Their fragrant watch are keeping. 

Fourth girl 

Then bring the pansies quaint and sweet, 

The dark blue pansies, seeming 
Almost to speak, as they gravely greet. 

With faces wise, their meaning. 
The pansies stand for thoughts, they say; 

And thoughts we all are giving 
To those dear heroes dead to-day, 

And to their comrades living. 

Fijth girl 

And bring the daisies, pure and white, 
And hear what they are telling: 
''Farewell!" they say, ''Farewell — good night!" 
A requiem sad they're knelling. 
Yet as they speak, they upward gaze. 

As if to God they're giving 
Their heart-felt thanks, their loudest praise, 
For hopes of future living. 

Sixth girl 

Let r^c?- lipped roses join the throng. 

Their bursting hearts o'erflowing 
With music of their daily song. 

The sweetness of their growing. 
The perfume of their fragrant breath 

Is love^ the secret telling 



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That sent our heroes to their death, 
Our hearts' best love compelling. 

Seventh girl 

Now, as you see these flowers so sweet, 

Kjiow you the fragrant meaning, 
As from so many graves they greet 

Each fond face earthward leaning? 
'Tis right that o'er each hero's grave 

These living flags are waving. 
Since for our flag his life he gave. 

His country's honor saving. 



All 



Then let us yearly deck the mounds, 

Our sacred promise giving. 
That flowers and flags upon these grounds 

Shall meet while we are living. 
And let us gently drop a tear 

On graves of heroes lowly. 
And breathe a blessing o'er their bier — 

Our country's heroes holy! 



Quotations for Memorial Day 
and How to Use Them 

C. H. Stanley 

. The quotations may be used in various ways which will 
readily suggest themselves. The difficulty is generally 
in being able to lay one's hands upon such things at the 
moment when they are wanted. Any teacher can adopt 
them to her school. The following ways of using them 
are suggested : 

For Roll-Call 

Copy the quotations or numbered slips and give one to 
each pupil who has not been able to provide his own. 
When the roll is called let each respond to his name by 
giving the quotation which should have been memorized. 

For a Responsive Exercise 

Group eight or ten quotations together and you will 
have an exercise for eight or ten children, with very little 
for each one to recite. In every school there are always 
a few who can recite well and effectively, but there are 
just as invariably many who cannot, and yet they may 
all be interested and eager to take part. Such an exer- 

12 



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13 

cise provides for the patriotic ''many" as well as the 
talented ''few." 



Quotations 
First pupil 

"Peace to the brave who nobly fell 

Beneath our flag, their hope and pride! 
They fought like heroes long and well, 
And then like heroes died." 

— W. T. Adams 

Second pupil 

"Bring flowers, to strew again 
With fragrant purple rain 
Of lilacs, and of roses white and red, 

The dwellings of our dead — our glorious dead." 

Third pupil 

"Do you know, O men now lying 
In the low and chilly bed, 
That we, the slowly dying. 

Are giving a day to the dead?" 

Fourth pupil 

"Death will find us soon or later, 
On the deck or in the cot. 
And we cannot meet him better 
Than in working out our lot." 

— Whittier 



14 

Fifth pupil 

"Whether on the scaffold high, 
Or in the battle's van, 
The fittest place for man to die 
Is where he dies for man." 

Sixth pupU 

"Bring laurel wreaths, and blossoms sweet and rare, 
To grace their graves who died to save the land." 

Seventh pupil 

"This is a day of peace. 
Let party hatred cease 

And bitter strife; 
Let Peace her scepter sway 
Throughout our land to-day. 
May pride be swept away 

And love be rife." 

Eighth pupil 

"Strew the fair garlands where slumber the dead 
Ring out the strains like the swell of the sea; 
Heartfelt the tribute we lay on each bed ; 
Sound o'er the brave the refrain of the free." 

— S. F. Smith 

Ninth pupil 

"They are nobly crowned and sainted 
Who with grief have been acquainted 
To make a nation truly free," 



15 

Tenth pupil 

''Yet do thy work; it shall succeed 
In thine or in another's day." 

— Whittier 

Eleventh pupil 

''He's true to God who's true to man; 
Whenever wrong is done 
To the humblest and the weakest 

'Neath the all-beholding sun, 
That wrong is also done to us; 

And they are slaves most base, 
Whose love of right is for themselves, 
And not for all the race." 

Twelfth pupil 

"And how can man die better 
Than facing fearful odds, 
For the ashes of his fathers 
And the temple of his gods?'* 

Thirteenth pupil 

"Dear to each heart are the names of the brave; 
Resting in glory, how sweetly they sleep! 
Dewdrops at evening fall soft on each grave, 
Kindred and stranger bend fondly to weep." 

Fourteenth pupil 

"Let fragrant tributes, grateful, tell 

Where live the free, where sleep the brave." 



i6 

Fifteenth pupil 

The well-known lines, ''The Blue and the Gray," 
by Judge Finch of New York, were drawn out in 1867, 
by the beautiful action of the women of Columbus, 
Mississippi, who, on Memorial Day, had strewed flowers 
impartially — ''alike for the friend and the foe" — on 
the graves of Confederate and Federal soldiers* 



Sixteenth pupil 

"From the silence of sorrowful hours 

The desolate mourners go. 
Lovingly laden with flowers, 

Alike for the friend and the foe — 
Under the sod and the dew 

Waiting the judgment day: 
Under the roses, the Blue; 

Under the lilies, the Gray." 



— Finch 



Seventeenth pupil 

"No more shall the war-cry sever, 
Or the winding rivers be red: 
They banish our anger forever. 

When they laurel the graves of our dead — 
Under the sod and the dew 

Waiting the judgment day, 
Love and tears for the Blue; 
Tears and love for the Gray*" 

— Finch 



17 

Eighteenth pupil 

''Rest, comrades, rest and sleep! 
The thoughts of men should be 
As sentinels to keep 
Your rest from danger free." 

— Longfellow 

Nineteenth pupil 

''Your silent tents of green 

We deck with fragrant flowers; 
Yours has the suffering been, 
The memory shall be ours.'' 

— Longfellow 

Twentieth pupil 

"Graves on the green hillside! 
Graves on the plain! 
O'er them as spring returns 
Weep we again. 
Noble and valiant men, loyal and true, 
Fairest, most fragrant flowers o'er their graves strew." 

— Mary Hume Dongine 

Twenty-first pupil 

" Scatter your flowers alike to-day. 
Over the graves of the Blue and Gray, 
Time has healed all the Nation's scars, 
Peace has hushed all the noise of wars. 
And North and South, and East and West, 
There beats but one heart in the Nation's breast." 

— Mary N. Robinson 



i8 

Twenty-second pupil 

''Breathe balmy airs, ye fragrant flowers, 
O'er every silent sleeper's head." 

Twenty-third pupil 

''I with uncovered head 
Salute the sacred dead. 
Who went and who return not." 

— James Russell Lowell 
Twenty- fourth pupil 

''A glory clothes the land from sea to sea, 
For the great land and all its coasts are free." 

— Bryant 
Twenty-fifth pupil 

''Till the mountains are worn out and the rivers forget 
to flow, till the clouds are weary of replenishing springs, 
and the springs forget to gush, and the rills to sing, shall 
their names be kept fresh with reverent honors which are 
inscribed upon the National Remembrance." 

— H. W. Beecher 
Twenty-sixth pupil 

"Though nations may combat and war's thunders rattle, 
He heeds not, he hears not, he's free from all pain; 
He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle, 
No sound can awake him to glory again." 

Twenty-seventh pupil 

So let our heroes rest 
Upon your sunny breast; 
Keep them, O South, our tender hearts and true, 



19 

Keep them, O South, and learn to hold them dear 

From year to year! 

Never forget 
Dying for us, they died for you, 
This hallowed dust should knit us closer yet ! 

— T, B. Aldrich 

Twenty-eighth pupil 

Not there, but risen, redeemed they go 

Where all the paths are sweet with flowers; 
They fought to give us peace, and lo! 
They gained a better peace than ours. 

— Phodbe Cary 

Twenty-ninth pupil 

O heart, sore tried! thou hast the best 
That heaven itself could give thee — rest. 

— Whittier 

Thirtieth pupil 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay 
down his life for his friends. 

— Bible 



In Memory of Our Fallen Heroes 

Emma Taylor 

Each speaker should have a bouquet of flowers. It would be 
well if they should carry a banner bearing an appropriate motto 
or each child have a card with one word on it, and all the words 
forming the following lines: 

Soldier rest, thy warfare o'er, 
Dream of battlefields no more. 

First speaker 

Remember the soldiers, children, 
Remember them all with flowers! 
Theirs was the battle and theirs the pain, 
Ours is the peace and ours the gain; 
Theirs was the sowing, the harvest ours — 
And all we can give them to-day is flowers! 

— £. C. Dowd 

Second speaker 

To the memory of the dead, 
Lay above the honored head, 

Flowers, sweet flowers. 
Over hearts that ceased to beat. 
In the battle's smoke and heat. 
Scatter flowers, rare flowers. 

— Francis M. Hawley 

20 



Third speaker 

Ah, never shall the land forget 

How gushed the life-blood of her brave — 
Gushed, warm with hope and courage yet. 

Upon the soil they fought to save. 

— W. C. Bryant 

Fourth speaker 

When the sun of Liberty 

Grows dim to mortal eyes, 
From out the gloom, like radiant stars, 
The world's true heroes rise. 

— Mrs. Botta 

So linked thy ways to those of God 
So follow firm the heavenly laws, 

That stars may greet the warrior-browed. 
And storm-sped angels hail thy cause. 

— Julia Ward Howe 

Fifth speaker 

Beautiful is the death-sleep 

Of those who bravely fight 
In their country's holy quarrel, 

And perish for the right. 

— W. C. Bryant 

Sixth speaker 

And they no longer weep, 
Here, where complaint is still! 



And they no longer feel, 

Here/ where all gladness flies! 

And the cypresses 

Softly overshadowed, 

Until the angel 

Calls them, they slumber. 

— Longfellow, from the German 

Seventh speaker 

Evermore that turf lie lightly, 

And, with future showers. 
O'er thy slumbers fresh and brightly 
Blow the summer flowers. 

— Whittief 

Eighth speaker 

Fast asleep the boys are lying, in their low and narrow 

tents. 
And no battle-cry can wake them, and no orders call them 

hence ; 
And the yearnings of the mother and the anguish of the 

wife. 
Cannot with their magic presence call the soldier back to 

life. 

— Will Carleton 

Ninth speaker 

And the brother's manly sorrow and the father's mournful 

pride. 
Cannot give back to his country him who for his country 

died. 



23 

JThey who for the trembling Nation in its hour of trial 

bled, 
Lie, in these, its years of triumph, with our Army of the 

Dead. 

— Will Carleton 

Tenth speaker 

From the silence of sorrowful hours, 
The desolate mourners go 
Lovingly laden with flowers, 
Alike for the friend and the foe. 

All 

Under the sod and the dew, 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Under the roses, the Blue, 

Under the lilies the Gray, 

Eleventh speaker 

No more shall the war-cry sever, 

Or the winding rivers be red; 
They banish our anger forever, 

When they laurel the graves of our dead! 

All 

Under t^e sod and the dew. 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Love and tears for the Blue; 

Tears and love for the Gray. 

— F. M. Finch 



Our Soldiers 

Olive E. Dana 

Above the platform should be draped the largest and hand- 
somest flag obtainable. Portraits of Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, 
Garfield, and others who rendered conspicuous service should be 
displayed. If there are or have been men who were prominent in 
the Civil War, or whose bravery is locally recognized, who went 
from or have since been identified with the town, let their portraits 
be shown also, or have their names appear in the decorations, which 
should be as numerous and beautiful as it is possible to have them. 
Let each child salute the flag as he comes forward to speak. 

Song 

(Tune: *^ America.") 

Our soldiers, 'tis of you, 
To faith and freedom true, 

Of you we sing. 
Our land's at rest to-day, 
Its strifes have passed away — 

Our praise we bring! 

Rest in your grassy beds. 
While bloom a nation spreads 

On each appears; 
We, too, v\^ill love our land 
And serve with loyal hand, 

In all the years! 

24 



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Recitation 
Class 

'Tis longer ago than we can remember — 
Three times or four times as long as our years, 
The time since they went for freedom's defending, 
Away to the battle, with cheers and 'mid tears. 

Longer ago than we can remember, 
Some of them, some of them only, returned. 
Wounded and weary, but bringing in triumph 
The flag where the stars, unblotted, still burned. 



Song 

(Tune: "Star-Spangled Banner") 

They came with our flag borne proudly in sight, 
Who went, for its sake, their lives to surrender; 

'Twas tattered and torn, but with stars burning bright 
As now, when we give it our homage so tender. 

(All salute the flag) 

While the star-spangled banners in triumph still wave 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave! 

Class (continues) 

Longer ago than we can remember. 

Were the muskets laid down, for the battles were done; 

The red, white, and blue o'er a nation of freemen 

Was unfurled, and the cause of our liberties won! 



26 

'Tis longer ago than we can remember, 

But the peace, and the hope, and the freedom we share, 

Ours is the gift, and theirs is the glory, 

And once more early blossoms our loving hands bear. 

'Twas longer ago than we can remember. 
But we praise them, and love them, and thank them to- 
day. 
Our hearts are athrill with gratitude tender, 
As the flag and a flower above them we lay. 



Exercise 

Each child bears a small flag, and each brings a handful of the 
flowers he names. And as they begin, the teacher places upon the 
blackboard or in some conspicuous place the word "OUR," in ever- 
green or in flowers; while as each child speaks she must put in posi- 
tion another letter, formed of flowers like those he holds, till all have 
finished, and the word ** SOLDIERS" has been formed. As 
flowers come into blooming so much earlier or later in different 
localities and latitudes, other kinds may sometimes have to be 
substituted for those here given, but their names should begin, 
severally, with these same letters. 

Syringas 

I bring 5yringas, sweet as their memories are; and 
they are, too, one of our country's own colors. 

Oak Leaves 

I have gathered the fresh young Oak leaves, and have 
made them into a wreath of honor. 



^7 

Lilies 

These iilies I bring, all spotless as their fame. 

Dandelion 
I gathered these Dandelions from the fields and the 
roadsides where some of them used to play, as we 
do, now. 

Ivy 

I brought /vy, because it lives so long, and because it 
clings always so closely . So it is with their deeds, 
and with our thoughts of them. 

Everlasting 
I bring JBverlasting flowers. 

{Displays immortelles^ some oj which have been colored 
blue and yellow and red, but the most oj which are white.) 

Roses 
It is not time for i?oses, but these have come earlier than 
their mates, for this very day. This white one is 
from a bush that a soldier boy transplanted, and 
used to love. 

Southernwood 

And this bit of Southernwood came from an old-fash- 
ioned garden that has hardly been changed since 
one of them made and tended it. 



28 



Class {continues) 

'Twas longer ago than we can remember, 
But our land and its laws, and each well-guarded home 
Are ours now because the need found them ready 
To march with brave hearts, to the bugle and drum. 

'Twas longer ago than we can remember, 
But they tell us the story with low voices yet, 
The story of men who brave were and tender. 
And whose gift to our country we will not forget. 



{Close with a patriotic song.) 



Memorial Day 

Lizzie M. Hadley 
First pupil 

A hush is in the solemn air, 

And lo! with muffled drum, 
And measured tread of marching feet, 

I see an army come. 
Not beardless boys with youth's hot blood, 

And youth's free, bounding pace, 
But grizzled men, all battle-scarred. 

With age marks on each face. 
Not soldiers bound for battlefields. 

Yet o'er their heads, we see 
Slow waving in the soft spring breeze. 

The old flag fair and free. 
Why come they here with solemn tread, 

In springtime's fairest hours, 
While hands that once the sabre bore 

Are laden now with flowers? 

Second pupil 

O, when the dreadful tide of war 

Our good ship would o'erwhelm, 
'Twas they, who as one man sprang forth 
And bravely seized the helm. 

29 



30 

First pupil 

What do they here? 

Second pupil 

Ah, child, they come 
With dirge and solemn tread 
To deck with nature's fairest flowers 

Each soldier's slowly bed, 
They are but few — the others sleep - 

But these in loving way 
From year to year will keep alive 
Our grand Memorial Day. 



All 



O, long as that old flag shall wave 

Abcve each soldier's honored grave. 

Yes, long as Time shall tell the hours, 

Each year we'll deck these graves with flowers. 



I 

Recitation ^ 

(For four little girls) 
First girl 

See! here are spring-time violets, meek, 

Heaped o'er each lowly bed, 
A fragrant mound of white and blue, 

They guard our honored dead. 



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31 

Second girl 

I bring you lilies, fair and sweet, 

O, toll each perfumed bell, 
And to the land they died to save, 
These soldier's brave deeds tell. 

Third girl 

See! roses with their hearts of gold. 

To all their fragrant breath 
Shall whisper of the soldiers brave 

Who sleep to-day in <;ieath. 

Fourth girl 

Here's laurel, with its blushing blooms 

A tribute for the brave, 
What better offering need we lay 

Upon a hero's grave? 

All 

So with these blossoms will we deck 

With each returning year. 
The low green mounds where sweetly sleep 

The men we hold so dear. 



Song 

Rest, soldier, rest, 

No more by care oppressed. 

Thy deeds within our hearts we'll shrine, 



32 

A grateful nation's tears are thine. 
Rest thee, soldier, rest thee, soldier, 
Rest, soldier, rest. 
Within the earth's green breast. 



A Decoration Day Program 

M. L. Sutton 

For school-room decoration on this occasion, use bunting, ever- 
greens, red, white, and blue flowers, and when possible, the pictures 
of military heroes, suitably draped. 

Instead of having blackboard space filled with "show" problems 
or left vacant have the best penmen among the pupils, copy upon 
them suitable quotations, surrounded by wreaths in colored crayon 
work made from stencils or at your directions. 

On one board beneath crossed flags: 

It made and preserved us a nation! 

The imion of lakes — the union of lands — 
The union of States none can sever — 

The union of hearts — the union of hands — 
And the Flag of our Union forever! 

On another board, surrounded by a wreath of lilies-of-the-valley: 

Enough of merit has each name. 

To shine untarnished on the walls of fame, 

And add new lustre to the historic page. 

This quotation from Longfellow — 

War is a terrible trade! but in a cause that is righteous, 
Sweet is the smell of powder" — 

is also very suitable. 

Invitations to be extended to the friends and patrons may be 
cut from common writing paper in the form of shields. On the 

33 



34 

lower portions write the invitation in red ink, on the upper parts 
the date, time, and place in blue ink. The making of these invita- 
tions will be a source of great pleasure and enthusiasm for the older 
pupils. 

Song — "America'' 

(By the school.) 

Address ''Decoration Day'' 

(By the teacher.) 

Quotations 
First pupil 

Flag of the rainbow and banner of stars, 

Emblem of light and shield of the lowly; 
Never to droop while our soldiers and tars 

Rally to guard it from outrage unholy. 
Never may shame or misfortune attend it, 
Enmity sully or treachery rend it, 
While but a man is left to defend it. 
Flag of the rainbow and banner of stars. 

Second pupil 

God bless the flag! let it float and fill 

The sky with its beauty; our heart-strings thrill 

To the low, sweet chant of its wind-swept bars. 

And the chorus of all its clustering stars. 

Embrace it, O mothers, and heroes shall grow. 

While its colors blush warm o'er your bosoms of snow. 

Defend it, O fathers, there's no sweeter death, 



35 

Than to flaunt its fair folds with a soldier's last breath. 
And love it, O children, be true to the sires. 
Who wove it in pain by the old camp fires. 

— Samuel L. Simpson 

Song — "Our Tribute" 

(By the school.) 

Hail to the flag of Columbia — happy land ! 
Hail to the banner received from Freedom's hand! 
In its stars are hues of heaven, 
God's choicest boon is given. 
Long wave our beauteous banner, then, 
All hail, red white, and blue! 

When on the fields of carnage, death and strife, 
To save this banner was yielded many a life, 
The dying deeds of soldiers true, 
With glories' stars bedecked the blue, 
And gave the life-blood's scarlet hue. 
Unto our banner fair. 

We ne'er can pay the debt of love we owe 
To those who serv'd our noble country so. 
Give glory to the hero band. 
Who died to save our Fatherland, 
Their monument our flag shall stand, 
Forever o'er them wave. 

'Neath its bright folds have thousands lain to rest; 
Men have died gladly with it about their breasts; 



36 

Then place the flag that heaven gave, 
With garlands sweet on every grave, 
A fitting tribute to the brave, 
This flag they loved so well. 

Have the school standing while this song is being rendered, and 
with its closing line, have the pupils trained to a spontaneous, united 
salute of our colors, arranged in a prominent place. 



^^What Flowers Shall We Bring?" 

(By three little girls.) 

Each one as she comes upon the stage, bears a wreath of the 
flower she recommends, holds it while reciting, and places it upon 
the teacher's desk as she leaves the platform. The last one bears 
a small flag with her wreath. 

First girl 

Bring roses fresh with morning dew, 
A fitting tribute to the true. 
Lay the garlanded blossoms red, 
On each grave of the honored dead. 
For the precious blood they shed — J 

Our heroes dear! " 

Second girl 

Bring lilies from the valleys low. 
Fragrant bells as pure as snow. 
Like the spirits still and light 
That rose so thickly over the fight — 
That stole away in the dead of night — 
From our boys in blue. 



37 



Third girl 



Forget-me-nots and pansies sweet, 
Alone can make the gift complete, 
Never forgot to dare and do. 
Our country's glory to renew. 
Honor forever, the red — white — blue 
Our tribute fair. 

Recitation — ''The Blue and the Gray'' 

By the flow of the inland river, 

Whence the fleets of iron have fled. 
Where the blades of the grave-grass quiver. 

Asleep are the ranks of the dead — 
Under the sod and the dew. 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Under the one, the Blue; 

Under the other, the Gray. 

These in the robings of glory. 

Those in the gloom of defeat; 
All with the battle-blood gory, 

In the dusk of eternity meet — 
Under the sod and the dew, 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Under the laurel, the Blue; 

Under the willow, the Gray. 

From the silence of sorrowful hours, 

The desolate mourners go. 
Lovingly laden with flowers, 



3^ 

Alike for the friend and the foe — 
Under the sod and the dew, 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Under the roses, the Blue, 

Under the lilies the Gray. 

So with an equal splendor, 

The morning sun rays fall, 
With a touch impartially tender. 

On the blossoms blooming for all — 
Under the sod and the dew. 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Broidered with gold, the Blue; 

Mellow with gold, the Gray. 

So, when the summer calleth^ 

On forest and field of grain. 
With an equal murmur falleth. 

The cooling drip of the rain — 
Under the sod and the dew. 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Wet with the rain, the Blue ; 

Wet with the rain, the Gray. 

Sadly, but not with upbraiding. 
The generous deed was done; 

In the storm of the years that are fading, 
No braver battle was won — 

Under the sod and the dew. 
Waiting the judgment day; 



39 

Under the blossoms, the Blue; 
Under the garlands, the Gray. 

No more shall the war-cry sever, 

Or the winding rivers be red, 
They banish our anger forever, 

When they laurel the graves of our dead — 
Under the sod and the dew. 

Waiting the judgment day: 
Love and tears for the Blue; 

Tears and love for the Gray. 

— Francis M. Finch 



Recitation — ""How Sleep the Brave '^ 

How sleep the brave who sink to rest. 
By all their country's wishes blest! 
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, 
Returns to deck their hallowed mould. 
She there shall dress a sweeter sod. 
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod. 



By fairy hands their knell is rung. 
By forms unseen their dirge is sung, 
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, 
To bless the turf that wraps their clay; 
And freedom shall awhile repair, 
To dwell a weeping hermit there! 

— Williayn Collins 



40 
Closing Song 

(Tune: "Rose of the Garden," from L. O. Emerson's Singer^s 
Welcome, Words by M. L. S. Published by O. Ditson Company.) 

Flowers for the soldiers, resting at last; 
Labors are over, dangers are past; 
Softly they rest by river and sea, 
'Neath our fair banner — flag of the tree, 
Tears for our heroes and their foes as well; 
They were all brothers, though in strife they fell, 
Flowers for the soldiers, resting at last ; 
Labors are over, dangers are past. 

Cherish the aged, they who wore the blue; 
Our living heroes are yearly more few. 
Kind, loving deeds to them are better given 
Than all our garlands to the hosts in heaven. 
Flowers for the soldiers gathered here to-day, 
May a nation's blessings cheer them on life's way. 
Hail then, old soldiers! greeting we bring, 
Ever may the laurels round your white brows cling. 



War or Peace 

Flora Helm Krause 
Prelude 

Scene 

School-room being prepared before school-hours for an enter- 
tainment by the pupils. During the dialogue, one group drapes a 
large flag, another arranges flowers on a table, some tack up bunting 
and small flags, some fix easels, pictures, etc. Let all appear to 
work quietly and naturally while talking. 

(R — right side of stage; C — centre; L — left.) 

George {R on ladder) Hand me a picture to hang up, 
John. 

John {brings and hands up picture oj Grant) Here is 
the hero of the event we celebrate to-day {military salute) 
the man of war! 

Bessie (L draping bunting on an easel holding LincoMs 
picture) Here is the hero of the event we celebrate to- 
day {with a pretty gesture) the man of peace ! 

John {to Bessie) We are celebrating the Civil War, 
aren't we? Isn't the name of Grant, our greatest general, 
linked inseparably with the progress and success of that 
war? 

George We are not celebrating anything, John. This 
is Memorial Day — a day set aside to recall the memory of 

41 



42 

men who did what they could to save the Union and abol- 
ish slavery. 

Bessie Well, doesn't the name of Lincoln, who issued 
the Emancipation Proclamation, stand foremost in our 
memory at such a time ? 

George {still on ladder) They were both great — one 
in military action, the other in legislative action. They 
were both men of action and men of principle. 

Estelle {arranging flowers at a table as she recites, making 
the recitation seem not set and perfunctory but like a part 
0} the conversation) 

God give us men! A time like this demands 
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands; 
Men whom the lust of office does not kill. 

Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy. 
Men who possess opinion and a will. 

Men who have honor, men who will not lie ; 
Tall men, sun- crowned, who live above the fog, 
In public duty and in private thinking. 

— /. G. Holland 

Mary {taking up small flags) Doesn't it seem an odd 
coincidence that these two heroes of the Civil War came 
from the same state, Illinois? 

{All drop work and sing with feeling, "Illinois^) 

{All resume work.) 

George Which your favorite hero is depends on whether 
you admire peace or war. 

All together {some saying one, some the other) War, war, 
war! Peace, peace, peace! 



43 

George Max, you are the historian of the class; tell 
us what war has done for us. 

Max (who has been quietly reading in the corner all this 
time, now stands with his book in one hand and talks 
thoughtfully and earnestly, not as in a set speech) Wars have 
been the means of disseminating culture and thus creating a 
new order of things, as, when the Turks captured Con- 
stantinople in 1453, the Greeks scattered over Europe. 
And thus the learning of the ancient Greek was carried 
into modern Europe and the Revival of Learning broke 
up the Dark Ages. 

Sometimes the culture and progress w^re brought by 
the conquering nation, as when the Normans overcame 
the Saxons, 1066. 

The Wars of the Crusades brought the language, the 
sciences, mathematics, and industries of the Orient into 
Western Europe. The French Revolution freed one 
class from the tyranny of another. The War of '76 nicely 
illustrates how fighting has made a nation independent of 
unjust government. War has estabhshed the liberty of 
an enslaved race, as the Civil War, whose heroes we re- 
member to-day, did. 

Halj the group {interrupting and clapping hands vocifer- 
ously) Yes — yes — war is a great thing! On with war! 

The other half {with equal earnestness and waving hand- 
kerchiefs) No — no — peace! Three cheers for peace! 

George Well, I'd like to hear what our little peace- 
maker, Nellie, has to say. Is she here? 

All Yes, yes, let's hear from the Peace-maker. 

Nellie {who has been sitting in a corner making flowers 
from a basket into bouquets. While talking she goes on with 



44 

her flower-work, with a simple, unaffected manner of talk- 
ing) In times of peace the farmer tills the soil and agri- 
culture flourishes; there is abundance of the necessities of 
life; they are so cheap, the humblest toiler does not want. 

In times of peace the mechanic, the tradesman, the arti- 
san apply their occupations; the plough and the reaper 
are made for the farmer, tools and machinery keep the 
trades busy, railroads and ships carry on commerce among 
the nations. 

The scientist, the writer, the artist, the teacher, devote 
their time and labor to the improvement, instruction, and 
entertainment of the race. Humanity devotes itself to 
being healthy, progressive, charitable, humane, and happy. 

Love rules instead of hate; we live and let live; our 
aim is to be happy and to make others happy. 

Halj the group {with demonstrations as before) For 
peace, three cheers — hip — hip — hurrah! 

Other half {with similar demonstrations) No — no — 
justice and progress, by fighting if we must ! 

George {taking down ladder and gathering up materials 
of work) Well, our entertainment on 'War or Peace" 
will better decide the question than all our arguments 
and hurrahing. So — let's all to our parts. 

[Curtain.] 

Part I.— War 

Scene I. — Call to War 

Girls in group, L and front, dressed as women in out- 
door garb waving handerkchiefs to boys as they march. 



45 

Bugle-call behind scenes. 

Boys enter R, dressed as soldiers. They march and 
counter-march in military fashion to accompaniment of 
drum and fife. 

All sing ^^We are Coming, Father Abraham, a Hundred 
Thousand Strong." 

Boys march L, girls waving handkerchiefs or weeping 
as they go. 

Scene II. — Before the Battle 

Night scene — tent in background, blanket, knapsack, 
canteen, gun, and other paraphernalia lying around in 
confusion. A lighted candle is stuck up, C. 

Soldier in undress sits cross-legged, C, with paper-pad 
in lap, writing letter. 

A sentinel marches L. Bugle sounds reveille behind 
scenes. 

Song: ^7ust Before the Battle Mother." 

If the boy taking soldier's part cannot sing it as a solo, 
have it sung behind scenes by a girl, boy writing during 
singing. 

Scene III. — After the Battle 

Soldiers lie or sit on ground in various poses expressing 
disability, weariness, and pain. 

Nurses in costumes of striped dresses, white aprons, 
and caps, in attendance. One holds head of soldier, one 
administers water to another, one applies bandage to an- 
other's arm; some stand, some kneel on one knee as they 
administer to patient, some sit, some move noiselessly 



46 

from one patient to another, lifting, soothing, administer- 
ing, etc. 

Song (chorus) ''Tenting on the Old Camp Ground." 
When the chorus is finished soldier, C, with bandaged 
head (or girl behind scenes) sings solo: "After the Battle, 
Mother." (This song sometimes goes by the name, ''I 
am Wounded, Mother, Wounded.") 

Scene IV. — The Close of the War 

Home scene, chair holding drum and draped with flag, 

C; chorus grouped around it. 

Solo (one verse and chorus) ''The Vacant Chair." 
Song (chorus) "Cover Them Over with Beautiful 

Flowers." 

Part 11. — Peace 

The decorations may be those the children were arranging in 
Prelude, patriotic pictures and busts, bunting, flags, and flowers. 

First Groups L, 

Boy, in costume of '76, with scroll in hand, represents 
Declaration of Independence. 

Boy, blacked and dressed in costume of aged negro, 
hands shackled with long, dependent chains, grasps a 
cane which he leans on for support: represents Slavery. 

Boy, dressed in costume of '65, with scroll in hand; 
stands with free arm across shoulder of negro-character 
in protective manner: represents Emancipation Procla- 
mation. 

Boy, in modern costume, with scroll in hand; he is 
surrounded by a group of boys dressed, if possible, in 



47 

national costumes representing Russia, France, Germany, 
Great Britain, Netherlands, United States, etc. (as many 
of the European nations, or others, as thought desirable). 
If costumes are not obtainable, let banners or badges 
bearing the nations' names distinguish the characters; 
this boy and group represent The Hague Peace Confer- 
ence. 

Second group, C. 

Girl dressed in white with the word *^ Peace" in large 
characters embroidered or sewed on sash; stands on ele- 
vation and supports a large, white flag on standard. 

Before her on either hand are two boys, one in soldier's 
uniform bearing a gun; the other in officer's uniform bear- 
ing a sword. They look at Peace with humility and de- 
votion. 

Third group, R, 

Consists of boy characters representing farmer, car- 
penter, mason, sailor, and artist. They are costumed 
appropriately and have tools that represent their various 
industries. While the others are speaking, each goes 
through the motions or takes pose to represent his special 
form of labor. The group as a whole typifies *The 
Industries," or ''Labor." 

Song by chorus (one stanza and chorus), ''America." 

Boy of '76 reads from scroll. (The following extracts 
are from the Declaration of Independence by the Repre- 
sentatives of the United States of America in Congress 



48 

assembled July 4, 1776.) We hold these truths to be self- 
evident — that all men are created equal; that they are 
endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; 
that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi- 
ness. That to secure these rights, governments are in- 
stituted among men deriving their just powers from the 
consent of the governed. 

Song (either as solo by negro characters or by chorus 
behind scenes), ''My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night." 

Boy of '65 reads from scroll extract from the Emanci- 
pation Proclamation by the President of the United States, 
Abraham Lincoln: On the first day of January, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty- 
three, all persons held as slaves within any state or desig- 
nated part of a state, the people whereof shall be in re- 
bellion against the United States, shall be then, thencefor- 
ward, and forever free . . . And upon this act sin- 
cerely believed to be an act of justice warranted by the 
Constitution upon military necessity, I invoke the con- 
siderate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of 
Almighty God. (When he finishes reading, he removes 
the shackles from the negro's hands, throws them to the 
floor, and grasps his right hand with fraternal warmth. 
The negro grasps his hand and looks grateful.) 

The group, R, representing Labor, now recites together 
these lines by Denis MacCarty, enunciating with clear- 
ness and speaking with great force and vivacity: 



49 

^* Blessed that child of humanity, happiest man among 

men 
Who, with hammer or chisel or pencil — with rudder of 

plough-share or pen, 
Laboreth ever and ever with hope through the morning 

of life. 
Round swings the hammer of industry, quickly the sharp 

chisel rings. 
And the heart of the toiler hath throbbings that stir not 

the bosom of kings. 
He the true ruler and conqueror — he the true king of 

his race 
Who nerveth his arm for life's combat and looketh the 

world in the face." 

Boy representing The Hague Conference reads from 
scroll: The International Peace Conference convoked in 
the best interests of humanity by His Majesty the Em- 
peror of Russia, assembled on the invitation of the gov- 
ernment of Her Majesty, the Queen of The Netherlands 
at The Hague, May i8, 1899, formulated this statement: 
With a view to obviating, as far as possible, recourse to 
force in the relations between the States, the signatory 
powers agree to use their best efforts to insure the pacific 
settlement oj international difficulties. 

When the reading is finished, the two representing 
soldier and military officer kneel at Peace's feet and present 
sword and gun to her. She places them at her feet and 
then recites with great clearness, strength, and feeling 
these stanzas from John Ruskin's ^^Dawn of Peace.'' 



so 

"Awake! awake! the stars are pale, the east is russet 

gray; 
They fade, behold! the phantoms fade that kept the 

gates of day; 
Throw wide the burning valves and let the golden streets 

be free. 
The morning watch is past — the watch of evening shall 

not be. 
Put off — put off your mail, ye kings, and beat your 

brands to dust! 
A surer grasp your hands must know, your heart's a 

better trust. 
Nay, bend a-back the lance's point and break the helmet 

bar; 
A noise is on the morning winds — but not the noise of 

war. 
Among the grassy mountain paths, the glittering troops 

increase — 
They come ! they come ! How fair their feet — they 

come that publish peace. 
Yea, victory! fair victory! our enemies' and ours! 
And all the clouds are clasped in light and all the earth 

with flowers." 

A small child (in costume of Columbia, if possible) 
bearing large United States flag then comes from behind 
the scenes to the edge of the stage and waves flag, while 
all on stage (and, if desirable, chorus behind scenes) unite 
in singing the Anvil Chorus from "II Trovatore": 



God of the nations in glory enthroned, 

Upon our loved country thy blessings pour, 
Guide us and guard us from strife in the future. 
Let Peace dwell among us forevermore! 
Proudly our banner now gleams with golden lustre, 
Brighter each star shines in the glorious cluster. 

Liberty forevermore! 
And Peace and Union — and Peace and Union 
throughout our happy land. 



Patriotic Exercises for Memorial 

Day 

Arranged by I. N. M. 

The room should be appropriately decorated with flags, bimting, 
ferns bouquets, and wreaths of flowers, etc. Pictures of soldier 
heroes may be grouped around the room. Mottoes in fancy letter- 
ings may be written upon the blackboards, and may be placed in 
various places on the walls. Evergreen, flowers, and fancy paper 
may be used in making the letters for the walled mottoes. 

Song. The Star Spangled Banner. 

Quotations. 

Recitation. Our Standing Army, 

Song. Tramp, Tramp, Tramp. 

Acrostic. In Memoriam. 

Recitation. The Battle of Blenheim. 

Recitation. The American Flag. 

Class Exercise (Three Boys). The Flag. 

Song. Battle Cry of Freedom. 

Recitation. Barbara Frietchie. — Whittier 

Song. In the Woods of Tennessee. (Golden Glees.) 

Class Exercise (Three Children) . Sleep, Soldier, Sleep. 

Recitation. The Picket. 

Recitation. Paul Revere's Ride — Whittier 

Recitation. Nathan Hale — Finch. 

Song. Our Banner. 

52 



53 

Suggested Poems 

The Nation's Dead — Alice Cary. 

Cover Them Over — Will Carleton. 

The Blue and the Gray — Finch. 

Yorktown — Whittier. 

The Picket Guard — Ethelyn Eliot Beers. 

Mother and Poet — Elizabeth Barrett Browning. 

Quotations 

"The American flag means all that is good and true 
and pure and beautiful in a land of freedom." 

*'My eyes have grown dim in the service of my country, 
but I never doubted her justice." — 

— George Washington 

''No man's vote is lost which is cast for the right." 

— /. Q. Adams 

''Our watchword is victory or death; we will enjoy 
our liberty or perish in the last ditch." 

— Andrew Jackson 

"Scatter your flowers alike to-day 
Over the graves of the Blue and Gray, 
Time has healed all the Nation's scars, 
Peace has hushed all the noise of wars, 
And North and South and East and West, 
There beats but one heart in the Nation's breast." 



54 

*'How sleep the brave who sink to rest 
By all their country's wishes blest! 
When spring with dewy fingers cold, 
Returns to deck their hallowed mold, 
She there shall dress a sweeter sod 
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod." 

'^Bright be the flowers above your graves, 

Ye brave and gallant men, 
Whose dauntless souls keep bivouac 

In lands beyond our ken — 
For whose dear sakes good patriots all 

Will keep Memorial Day, 
And on each hero's honored grave 

Memorial blossoms lay." 

Our Standing Army 

We have no standing army? 

Nay, look around and see! 
The man who ploughs the furrow, 
The man who fells the tree, 
The statesman and the scholar — 

At the first word of fear 
Turn to their country breathing, 

*'My mother, I am here!" 

Not of a dumb, blind people. 

Is this, our army, made; 
Where schoolhouse and where steeple 

Have cast their friendly shade. 
Our army grows in knowledge, 



I 



55 

As it to manhood grows, 
And, trained in school and college, 
Stands ready for its foes. 

The brawny arms of gunners 

Serve minds alert and keen; 
The sailor's thought has traveled 

To lands he has not seen. 
Not for the joy of killing, 

Not for the lust of strife, 
Have these come forth with gladness 

To offer up their life. 

Behold our standing army — 

Not, as in other lands. 
An army standing idle. 

With empty minds and hands — 
But each one in his station; 

And peaceful victory 
Is training for the nation 

Heroes of land and sea. 

— Margaret Vandegrift 

In Memoriam 

The following acrostic is composed of appropriate quotations 
from various authors. The letters may be made of pasteboard 
covered with red, white, and blue paper, with a sprinkling of silver 
stars pasted upon it. The children might wear sashes of red, white, 
and blue. 

invincible banner! the flag of the free, 

O, where treads the foot that would fetter for thee! 



56 

Or the hands to be folded till triumph is won 
And the eagle looks proud of old to the sun ? 

— Proctor 

No government is safe unless it is protected by the 
good will of its people. 

Mayst thou ever be, O land, 

Noble and pure as thou art free and strong: 
So shalt thou lift a light for all the world 
And for all time, and bring the Age of Peace. 

— R. W. Gilder 

Earth shall be near to Heaven when all 
That severs man from man shall fall, 
For, here or there, salvation's plan, 
Alone, is love of God and man. — Whittier 

ikf arching closer together. 

Oh! patient ranks of gray! 
In silence deep your comrades sleep, 

And strife has passed away. 
For both we mourn with loving tears": 

Brave hearts on either side. 
The memory of your noble deeds. 
Still thrills our hearts with pride. 

— Angelina W. Wray 

Oi the Blue or the Gray, what matter to-day! 
For each some fond heart weeps; 



57 

So, children dear, make the spot less drear 
Wherever a soldier sleeps. 

i?emember! we are one country now. Dismiss from 
your minds all sectional feeling and bring 
your children up to be, above all, Americans. 

— R. E. Lee 

In the onward moving ages 

Can be felt the throb of life, 
Larger liberty is coming. 
And the end of cruel strife. 

AH honor to our hero dead! 

Dear as the blood ye gave. 
No impious footstep here shall tread 

The herbage of your grave; 
Nor shall your glory be forgot 

While Fame her record keeps. 
Or Honor points the hallowed spot 

Where valor proudly sleeps. — O^Hara 

My country, 'tis of thee, 
Sweet land of liberty, 

Of thee I sing; 
Land where my fathers died, 
Land of the pilgrim's pride, 
From every mountain side 

Let freedom ring. 

Note — The remaining verses of "America" may be sung by the 
class, if desired. 



58 
The American Flag 

(For a small boy bearing a flag in one hand.) 

Let this banner wave forever; 
May its lustrous stars fade never, 

Till the stars shall pale on high; I 

While there's hope in true hearts beating, 
While there's right the wrong defeating. 

Truth and freedom shall not die. 

The Flag 

(An exercise for three boys.) 

First boy {lifting flag) 

Wave, starry flag, on high! 
Float in the sunny sky! 

Stream o'er the stormy tide! 
For every stripe of stainless hue, 
And every star in field of blue, 
Ten thousand of the brave and true 

Have laid them down and died. 

Second boy (lifting flag) 

We are the men of the coming years. 

Who will follow wherever that flag appears, 

Who, honest and faithful, brave and true, i 

Will stand by that banner our whole lives through. | 

If war or dishonor our band should assail. 

Our courage, our loyalty, never shall fail. 

True to our flag, to our brotherhood true, 

We will fight for, yes, die for, the Red, White, and Blue. 



59 

Third boy {raising -flag) 
God bless the flag! let it float and fill 
The sky with its beauty ; — our heartstrings thrill 
To the low, sweet chant of its wind-swept bars, 
And the chorus of all its clustered stars. 
Embrace it, O mothers, and heroes shall grow 
While its colors blush warm on your bosoms of snow. 
Defend it, O fathers, there's no sweeter death 
Than to float its fair folds with a soldier's last breath : 
And love it, O children, be true to the sires 
Who wove it in pain by the old camp fires. 

All 

The flag floats east, the flag floats west; 

The skies unveil their glory; 
Each stripe reflects the loving light, 

Stars tells to star its story. 
From sea to sea, in calm or storm. 

Shine on, O flag, in beauty 
For all who walk in freedom's ways, 

For all who died for duty. — Sel. 



First girl 



Memorial Flowers 

Sadie S. Palmer 
(An exercise for four girls.) 

A bunch of fragrant violets 
As my offering I have brought, 

True blue, as were the soldiers 
When for the right they fought. 

Second girl 

I bring the golden buttercups 

So hardy and so brave; 
What flowers can be more fitting 
To deck a soldier's grave? 

Third girl 

I bring a bunch of daisies 

Some humble grave to crown, 
As innocent as the pure young lives 

So willingly laid down. 

Fourth girl 

This bunch of purple lilac 
As my offering I bring, 
'Tis fragrant as the memory 
Of those whose praise we sing. 



i 



60 



6i 



All 
We've often heard the story 

Of how the brave men fought, 
And as a tribute of our love 

These flowers we have brought. 
We will ne'er forget the soldiers, 
And when we've passed away. 
May other hands the flowers bring 
Each Decoration Day. 



A Roll-Call for Memorial Day 

Let each pupil respond with one of the following quo- 
tations : 

I do love my country's good with a respect more tender, 
more holy and profound than mine own life. 

— Shakespeare 

Be just and fear not; let all the ends thou aimest at, 
be thy country's, thy God's and truth's. — Shakespeare 

Without a sign his sword the brave man draws, 
And asks no omen but his country's cause . — Pope 

Statesman, yet friend to truth! of soul sincere. 
In action faithful, and in honor clear; 
Who broke no promise, served no private end, 
Who gained no title, and who lost no friend. 

— Pope 

What bosom beats not in his country's cause ? — Pope 

And for our country 'tis a bliss to die. — Pope 

The very essence of a free government consists in con- 
sidering offices as public trusts bestowed for the good of 

62 



63 

the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or a 
party. — Calhoun 

One country, one constitution, one destiny. — Webster 

Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good 
citizens. — Webster 

Liberty exists in proportion to wholesome restraint. 

— Webster 

Liberty and union, now and forever, one and insepar- 
able. — Webster 

God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are 
always ready to guard and defend it. — Webster 

Our father's God ! from out whose hand 
The centuries fall like grains of sand, 
We meet to-day, united, free. 
And loyal to our land and Thee, 
To thank Thee for the era done, 
And trust Thee for the opening one. 

— Whittier 

This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of free- 
dom, and that government of the people, by the people, 
for the people, shall not perish from the earth. — Lincoln 



Recitations for Decoration Day 

Gettysburg 

I stood to-day upon the ridge, 

Where once the blue brigades were massed, 
And gazed upon the plain below, 

O'er which the charging columns passed. 

And sauntering downward, somewhat sad, 
Among the stones no longer stained, 

I came upon a little mound 
That only the front rank had gained; 

A little mou d left all alone, 

Unmarked by flower or cypress wreath 

To show hat some regretful heart 
Remembered him who slept beneath. 

But half-way hidden by the grass, 

I found a broken barrel stave, 
The headboard which some foeman's hand 

Had kindly placed upon the grave. 

And on it traced these touching words, 
In letters I could scarce divine : 

64 



65 

"A rebel, name unknown, who fell, 
First in the foremost line." 

God's peace be with thee in thy rest, 
Lone dweller in a stranger's land, 

And may the mold above thy breast 
Lie lighter than a sister's hand. 

On other brows let careless Fame 
Her fadeless wreath of laurel twine, 

Enough for thee, thy epitaph : 
** First in the foremost line!" 

— New Orleans Picayune 

Under One Flag 

Up from the meadow rich. 
Up from the serried ditch. 
Up from the mountain which 

Echoed the fray. 
Proudly the heroes tread, 
Soft where the heroes dead 
Sleep, while the stars overhead 

Smile on their way. 

Under one flag the free 
Move on to victory 
Grander than ever we 

Won in the fight. 
See, how its white stripes shine! 
See, how its brave stars line! 



66 

God, let them ever twine 
Union and light! 

Hushed now the cannon's vent, 
Healed now the sabre's rent, 
On peace the gray intent. 

On peace the blue; 
Vanished the hate, the heat. 
None now our free flag greet, 
But they who cheer it meet 

As freemen do. 

So to their graves we bring 
Thy sweetest blossoms, Spring, 
And dirges deep to sing 

How brave they tried; 
For one this bud of blue, 
For one this bough of yew; 
Bravely they fought and true. 

Bravely and died. — G. C.W 

Gettysburg 

At Gettysburg in sixty-three. 
The fiery sun of fierce July 

Stood breathless in the heavens to see 
How hung a nation's destiny 

Upon a conflict raging high! 

He watched with boldly blazing eye 

The flower of Southern chivalry 



67 

Charge through the Union lines to die 
At Gettysburg! 

Where heroes fought so valorously 

On either side for victory, 
That all the world's posterity 

Will lift their praises to the sky. 
A nation's dead in honor lie 

At Gtttyshmgl — Susie M. Best 

Do You Know What It Means ? 

** Do you know what it means, you boys and girls 
Who hail from the North and the South! 
Do you know what it means, 
This twining of greens 
Round the silent cannon's mouth; 
This strewing with flowers the grass-grown grave; 
This decking with garlands the statues brave; 
This flaunting of flags, 
All in tatters and rags: 
This marching and singing; 
These bells all a-ringing; 
These faces grave and these faces gay, 
This talk of the Blue and this talk of the Gray, 
In the North and the South, Decoration Day? 

Not simply a show-time, boys and girls, 
Is this day of falling flowers; 

Not a pageant, a play, 

Nor a holiday 



6g 

Of flags and floral bowers; 
It is something more than the day that starts 
War memories a-throb in veteran hearts; 
For, across the years, 
To the hopes and the fears. 

To the days of battle, ) 

Of roar and of rattle — 
To the past that now seems so far away. 
Do the sons of the Blue and the sons of the Gray 
Gaze -— hand clasping hand — Decoration Day." 



Little Nan's Offering 

"The great wide gates swung open. 
The music softly sounded, 
And loving hands were heaping the soldier's grave with 
flowers; 

With pansies, pinks and roses, 
And pure, gold-hearted lilies. 
The fairest, sweetest blossoms that grace the spring-time 
bowers. 

When down the walk came tripping 

A wee, bare-headed girlie. 
Her eyes were filled with wonder, her face was grave and 
sweet ; 

Her small brown hands were crowded 

With dandelions yellow — 
The gallant, merry blossoms that children love to greet. 



69 

Oh, many smiled to see her — 

That dimpled-cheeked wee baby, 
Pass by with quaint intentness, as on a mission bound, 

And, pausing oft an instant, 

Let fall from out her treasures 
A yellow dandelion upon each flower- strewn mound. 

The music died in silence, 
A robin ceased its singing; 
And in the fragrant stillness, a bird-like whisper grew — 
So sweet, so clear and solemn. 
That smiles gave place to tear-drops: 
* Nan loves 'oo, darlin' soldier ; an' here's a f 'ower for 'oo.' ' 



The Blue and the Gray Together 

Flowers for the men who lost. 
Flowers for the men who won, 

The Blue and the Gray together; 
Out in the winter frost. 
Out in the summer sun, 

The Blue and the Gray together. 

Tears for the fallen brave. 
Never a word of blame. 

The Blue and the Gray together. 
Have each a quiet grave. 
Have each a spotless fame, 

The Blue and the Gray together. 



76 

Songs for a noble cause, 

Songs for a new-born Hope, 
The Blue and the Gray together; 

Bring now the sweetest rose, 

Lilies, and the heliotrope, 
For the Blue and the Gray together. 

The Blue and the Gray together, 

Out in the summer weather, i 

Out in the wintry weather; ? 

Sing thrush and robin o'er each lonely grave! jj 

Sigh, gentle winds, and tell > 

To the pale asphodel, 'j 

"The Blue and the Gray sleep well, sleep well | 

together." — Independent j 



A Daisy's Mission 

"I am going to blossom," a daisy said, 

"Though the weather is cold and bleak;" 

"What for?" said a neighbor, lifting her head, 
'^It's too early yet by a week." 

Said the daisy, ''A voice is whispering * Speed!' 
So I'm wanted somewhere, I know," 
"Well, I am too wise such voices to heed — 
How silly you are to go!" 

Memorial Day dawned cool and bright. 

The sun his warm rays gave. 
And there gleamed a star of purest white 

On a soldier's lonely grave. — Selected 



I 



71 

Memorial Day 

When the beautiful grass comes springing 

So soft beneath our feet, 
And the birds are once more singing 

Their songs so clear and sweet; 

When the bright spring flowers are peeping 

O'er every hill and dale, 
And silvery brooks go creeping 

Through the green and mossy vale; 

When all this lovely land of ours, 

In vernal green is dressed. 
We come, w^ith hushed and reverent step, 

To where the soldiers rest. 

Bringing sweet flowers of Spring-time, 

To strew with loving hand, 
O'er the graves of the fallen heroes, 

Who died to save our land. 

And as the loyal children 

Their grateful tribute bring, 
As they hear the soldier's hardships told. 

And of his brave deeds sing. 

May each young heart feel thankful 

To Him who reigns above. 
That such a land is given him, 

To cherish, guard and love. 



72 

And may each strive, with heart and hand, 

To ever worthy be 
Of the fair and noble father-land, 

Loved home of liberty. 

Memory Day 

Round the still graves of the Gray and the Blue 
Blossoms are springing spangled with dew, 
Tenderly breathing, rosily wreathing 
Over the graves of the Gray and the Blue. 
So, the brave deeds of those heroes of ours 
Round the years cluster and break forth in flowers. 

Through the years coming 
Fresh with love's dew, 

God keep the deeds 
Of the Gray and the Blue! 

Round the dear graves of the Blue and the Gray 
Perfumes, like blessings, wander to-day, 
Ever)rwhere blowing, coming and going 
Over the graves of the Blue and the Gray. 
So, from the deeds of those heroes of ours 
Memories rise like the fragrance of flowers. 
In the years coming 

Hallowed alway, 
God hold the deeds 
Of the Blue and the Gray! 

— Alice E, Allen 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS , 

022 204 654 3l 



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pH) 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



022 204 654 3 



